Garment or ironing press



Oct.' 28, 1930. J, P DALY 1,779,930

@mmm on mesme PRESS original Filed April 29, 192e 2 sheets-sheet 1 ,42.Jose/a6 PM J. P. DALY 1,779330 Oct. 2s, 1930. n

GARMENT OR IRONING PRESS Original Filed April 29. 1926 2 Sh'eets-Sheet 26o 55 -V .2 H 22 1 YO o "l O il /l 7 .ll/ 1 l ll/ 5 /l ':j`I 2 IH #All 6,f 4Z 4L 5 47 fV l 'f3 42 INVENTOR.

Lsef BY Meda/7g ToRNEYs `Patented Oct. 28, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT'o1-FICE JOSEPH P. DALY, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE PROSPERITYCOMPANY INC., OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK,

A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK GARMNT OR IRONING PRESS AAppication filedApril 29, 1926, Serialil'o. 105,397. Renewed March 19, 1929.

This invention relates to actuating or power mechanisms including fluidmotors ,for actuating various types of machines, particularly garmentpressing and ironing machines and has for its object a construction bywhich one or both hands of the operator are kept out of danger while thepress is being closed and a particularly simple and etcient means forholding the press closed until released by a manual operation. v

According to the principles of this invention, it is broad object toproduce a garment or ironing press having motor means which closes thepress jaws or the pressing head under compression against the buck, anda novel manual control governs the motor to initiate and continue itspower stroke, an outstanding characteristic being that the motor willnot continue its forward power stroke unless the operator actually7holds down the manual control means ltill the pressing head reaches aposition so nearly closed that insufficient jaw space remains for one toget his fingers or hands in between the press jaws.

At this stage of the operation an automatic hold-down control then takesover the manual control, takes it away from the operator, and holds downthereon until the motor reaches ultimate .position where the jaws areunder final compression on the work. Hence two controls, one a manualand the other' an automatic. are coordinated with each other and withthe motor, to render safe a high powered jaw-type garment or ironingpress. i

An outstanding feature is that the vautomatic control does not play itspart in the cycle of operation until the vpress head is so ad that theoperator may then safely remc i e his hand from the manual controlbutton or lever. He cannot do so before, else the closing motion of' thepress head will be arrested or will reverse and open up. The inventioncomprehends a combination pneumatic-mechanical means for locking thepress head down, which means is mechanically coordinated with themovement of some part of the motor means or the press, whereby, not

until the press head is down, does said means function, and then saidmeans acts autoinatn cally to maintain pneumatic or tluid pressure ontheI motor to h'old the press closed.

So also, a broad object is to produce a garment or ironing press, and toproduce a safe `manually controlled motor means therefor sure. Afterfinal compression is attained, or

after the press is so nearly closed that insufficient space remainsbetween `-the jaws or ones fingers, normall inactive lock-down meansthen automatica 1y functions to thereafter maintain the jaws closed byholding the motor means to its final point -of travel; and saidloclcdown means includes a movable part of the press, and said movablepart trips into locking action only after final pressure is reachedoronly after the space between the jaws is closed, all of which makes forsafety in a wide opening large jaw-type high powered garment or'ironingpress.

According to the concrete embodiment or the one example of the inventionshown in the accompanying drawings, it is an object, specifically as tothe combined manual and automatic control, to produce a. garment orironing press the jaw or jaws of which are operated by motor means, saya fluidpressure motor set in operation in this instance by both hands ofthe operator, and wherein a press-head hold-down valve is mechanicallyactu ated, say opened, only after the press head is so far closed thatin case the operator tries to remove one of his hands while the presshead is travelingtoward lthe buck, the press head will stop its movementand consequently not close and l' will even return to its wide openposition, but

if the operator will keep both hands on the double or two-hand controltill the press head is entirelyv closed, then he may remove his handsand said press will then remain closed because at that time thepress-head hold-down s to open the hold-down valve which otherwiseremains' normally closed, but that mechanical connection does not becomeeffective or make connection with the hold-down valve to open it untilthe press head is so nearly closed that an operator cannot get his hand'between the jaws, all of which makes for safety in a highpoweredair-operated garment or ironing press.

A still further object is to provide a fourhand control for a pressingmachine motor means, wherein two manuals close the press, a third manualis coordinated with an automatic hold-down control to lock the pressclosed, and a fourth manual releases all to open the press; and in ythisway the operator is given control over an automatic control.

The invention consists in the novel features and in the combinations andconstructions hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In describing this invention, reference is had to the accompanyingdrawing in which like characters designate corresponding parts in allthe views:

Figure'l is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of an actuatingmechanism embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of a pressing machine embodying myinvention.

This actuating mechanism comprises, generally, suitable motor means,`here shown as a compressed fluid motor as a cylinder, a movable memberor piston'in the cylinder, a feed line for a power or motive fluidusually compressed air, a conduit communicating with one end of thecylinder, a control member as a valve interposed between said conduitand the main feed line for controlling the fiow of air to the cylinder,manual means -for opening the valve, means preferably fluid operated forholding the valve in .its operated position and here illustrated asincluding a conduit preferably connected in the main feed line, anormally closed valvein said conduit and connections arranged in thepath of the parts operated by the piston for operating the locking meansthat is in the illustrated embodiment of my invention thereby openingsaid valve when the piston has been actuated or the motion transmittingparts actuated thereby a predetermined distance.

1 designates the cylinder, 2 the piston mov- Y able in the cylinder andhaving a piston rod 3 connected thereto, which rod is here shown aspivoted at 4 to a motion transmitting part 5 for working a-press.jawsuch as a head 51 in Figure 2. 6 designates the main feed pipe for themotive fluid as air. The head or upper cylinder end is piv'otallymounted on the frame of the press. 7 is the pipe leading to one end ofthe cylinder, this being usually a combined intake and exhaust pipe. l

8 is a valve casing connected in kor between a branch 9.of said combinedintake and exhaust pipe 7 this valve casing 8 having conibined intakeand exhaust valves therein, that is, a double valve which acts as aunit. 10 designates the intake valve and 11 is the exhaust valve, thesebeing connected by a st em 12. The pipe 7 connects with the valve casing8 between the valves 10 and 11. A spring 13 or other pressure oryieldable means tends to hold the combined valves 10 and 11 in suchAposition that the intake valve 10 .is normally closed andthe exhaustvalve 11 1s normally o en. I

pThe combined intake and exhaust valves 10 and 11 are manually operated,here shown as by a dual or two-handed control which may be of anysuitable form, size and construction. As here shown, this dual controlconsists of a pair of' handles 14 and 15 spaced apart, these' handlesbeing shown as levers pivoted at 16 and 17 and being connected by links18 and `19 to the opposite arms of an evener or equalizing lever 20pivoted between its ends at 21 to a link 22 connected to a lever 23pivoted at 24 on a stationary frame part and having an arm 25 thrustingagainst the end of the operating` valve-plunger means or stein 26 of thecombined intake and exhaust valves 1() and 11 or against an interposedlever or rocker arm means 27 to be presently described.

Each hand or finger lever 14 or 15 is provided with cylindrical shields28 movable in correspondingly shaped liousingsl29 and having depressionsor finger receiving sockets 30, the shields being provided to preventthe locking down o f one of the handles or making difficult the lockingdown of one of the handles.

Returning springs 31 and 32 are interposed `between fixed abutments 33and the levers 1 4 and 15, these springs 31 and 32 encircling the rods18 and 19. It will be understood that these handles are pivoted on theframe of the f machine provided with this actuating mechanism and thatthe abutmeiits 33 are part of such frame. 34 and 35 designate fragmentsof the frame. v

The operating means for holding the combined intake and exhaust valves10 and 1l in their operated position as here shown, comprises adiaphragm 36 located in a diaphragm chamber 37, one side of the chambercomuninicating with the main feed air line 6 and the diaphragm beingconnected through the other side of the chamber to the pivoted-rockermeans or lever 27, the pressure and motion of the diaphragm beingtransferred to the lever 27 through the plunger 38.

Obviously', when the diaphragm 36 is acted upon to thrust the plunger 38outwardly, the pivoted-rocker means or lever 27 will beloeked or lieldon its pivot or will be held in its position assumed when rocked on itspivot against the stem 26 of the combined intake and exhaust valves 10and 11 to hold said valves in their manually reset or manually operatedpobranch conduit pipes or tubes 40, 41 and 42.

43 is a press-head hold-down valve casing connecting the branch pipe 42with the branch conduit section 41, this casing having a nor- `mallyclosed spring pressed hold-down valve 44 therein,` which valve isautomatically opened through suitable mechanica-l connections when thepiston 2 has traveled a predetermined distance in the cylinder 1.Preferably, this Valve casing is so located that the head 45 on a valvestem 45a thereof is located in the path of a shoulder or operating part46 on the motion transmitting part o; lever 5 in order to be engaged bysaid shoulder when the part 5 has been actuated to nearly or entirely to-its full extent by the piston 2. This. press-head hold-down orautomatic v'alve 44 y or down stroke causes 'the shoulder 46 to auandcasing 43 constitute hold-down or lockdown means operated by the motiontransmitting means 5 to operate the intake valve locking means 27 by thediaphragm 37 to hold the control valves 10 and 11 in the feed line 9connected to the motor 1 in their manually operated position so theoperator may remove his hand and the press will nevertheless remainclosed.

This press is designed to be held closed by air or other fluid pressureand to that end there is provided what may be called nonst-raighteningnon-locking operating connections 5 and 49 between the piston rod 3 andpress head 51. These lever or link parts 5 and 49sometimes assume theform of an ordinary toggle, a function of which is frequently to' lockor overstraighten after transmitting motion fromyone element to another.In case a toggle is employed, the arrangement is such that the toggleknee joint or knuckle does not lock or o-verstraighten andthatarrangement is an advantageous one because the press closes and opensmore quietly inasmuch as there is no over-forcing of parts into lockedposition which rattle and vibrate when closed or released. Thisinvention does not pertain to the operating leverage or connection 5-49itself from the motor to the press head, but pertains to the two-handcontrol organization, but nevertheless it is invariably preferred thatsome suitable or conventianal type of operating connections be employedin order that all the advantages of this invention may be derived.

The mot-ion transmitting part 5 is usually the power lever of a pressingmachine, which lever is pivoted at 47 between its ends to the frame ofthe machine and connected toa press lever 49 which is pivoted at 50v onto the frame of the machine, which press lever carriesa press head 51movable toward and -from the buck 52 of the pressing machine. Theshoulder 46 and the valve opening head 45 and its stem 45n thusconstitute a delayed or lost motion connection between the part 5 andvalve 44, the lost motion of which is taken up when the lever 5 has beenactuated by the motor 1r through a predetermined distance. That lostmotion is taken up when the head 51 has been moved down so close to thebuck 52 that at the time the locking means 27-37 operates, there isinsufiicient space between the head 51 and the buck 52 large or wideenough to letthe operator insert his hands between them after he takeshis hand from the handles 14 and 15.

In operation and to close the press, the

` operator actuates both handle levers 14, 15, -thus moving the combinedintake and exhaust valves 10 and llto open the intake and close the,exhaust so that the air is free to enter the cylinder 1, through thepipes 6, 9, 7 and valve-casing 8, the operator holding both" levers 4and 15 in manually operated posi# tion until the piston in traveling onits out tomatically engage the head 45 at the upper l 'phragm chamber 37to bulge the diaphragm to move the lever 27 clockwise to hold thecombined intake andl exhaust valves 10 and 11 in their manually operatedposition.

l Preferably but not necessarily, a manually operated normally closedsafety valve 53 is lo-` cated between the conduit sections 40 and 41,this valve 53 being held closed by a spring 54 and being actuated toopen it lby a handle lever 55 acting on the outer end of the stem 56 ofthe valve. The handle 55 is grouped with the handle 15. Thus, in orderto lock the press closed by holding down the piston 2, the manualoperation of the valve 53 is necessary in vorder to open itand permitair to flow to the diaphragm chamber 37, and hence the valve53really'gives the operator control over the function of the automaticvalve 44.

To release the air in the cylinder 1 and open the press, a manuallyo-pcrable release valve 57 is provided and this normally closedair-release press-opening valve is located in a `casing 58, and isconnected by a pipe 59to the diaphragm chamber 37. The air release valve57 is spring pressed toward its seat and is operable to permit the airto exhaust or be released from the diaphragm chamber 37 by a handlelever 60 located near and with the handle 14. When the lever 60' islift- .ed to open the releasel or exhaust valve 57 as shown,- the airexhausts from the dia,-

grouped 13,130 close the intake valve 10 and open the exhaust valveJ 11thereby resetting these parts to open-press position.

As soon as the combined intake and exhaust valves and 11 are moved totheir normal open-press position so that the exhaust valve 1l is open asshown and the intake valve 10 closed as shown, the air exhausts from thecylinder through pipes 7 valve ucasing 8 and past the exhaust valve 11out into atmospherev through a slot or port in the valve casing 8 shownmerely as an example near the exhaust valve head 11 and the press head51 then opens by reason of a spring or weights which normally urge thepress head to open position when the cylinder 1 is free from airpressure.

Should the operator tilt or press down on only one finger lever 14 or15, then in that event the equalizer` 20, which interconnects the twolinger levers 14 and 15, merely pivots idly at 21 and does not functionto thrust inwardly on link 22 to reset the intake and exhaust valves 10and 11, and hence fails to close the exhaust valve 11 and open saidyintake valve 10, and therefore air or fluid pressure does not iiow tothe motor means 1 and consequently the press head is not closed all ofwhich makes for safety.

Another feature or mode of operation worthy. of note and which isinlierent in this pneumatic press mechanism is that the press attendantcannot startthemechanism inoperation and then remove one linger from oneof the lnanual levers or buttons 14 or 15 and expect the press head 51to continue its downward movement. The movement of the piston 2immediately stops if either .manual 14 or is released before thepress-head holddown valve 44 is opened, and that does not take placetill the press head 51 is all'the way down and closed under iinalpressure against the buck 52 and hence no pressure is exerted behind o-ron the right side of the diaphragm 3G to take the air motor control awayfrom the operator by holding the valves 1Q and 11 in press-closedposition.

Either both hands of the attendant. must remain on the manuals 14 and 15against the pressure of the several springs 31, 32 and 13 till the pressjaws 5l and 52 are in pressure contact, or the hold-down valve 44 mustbe open, in order that the piston 2 remain down to hold the press inclosed position on the work. The hold-down valve 44 really takes theplace of the attendants two hands in order that he may remove his .handsafter the press head is closed without premature opening motion of thepress.

The foregoing explanation brings one to'a better understanding of thesafety features inherent in the mechanism shown in the drawing and itmay be referred to as the delayed locking or delayed pressure meansbecause the locking or holdings down of the piston 2 and hence the presshead 51 is delayed until the presshead hold-down valve 44 lis -opened.That delaylrenders safe the press because by that delay an attendantshand or hands is safe even though he may too quickly start the presshead and then change his mind to smooth out a wrinkle or reposition thework and he may carelessly put one or both hands in the jaws to do so,whereupon the head 51 stops or returns to up position because the airinstantly stops flowing into the cylinder and instantly exhausttherefrom.

In further explanation of another feature in the valve 53, it is notedthat said valve 53 is an additional safety element introduced into theair li'ne 40-41, and its handle 55 may be lifted by the attendantsforeinger after the valve 44 is automatically opened by the lug 4G inorder that motive fluid pressure may actually pass into the line 40 andhence bulge out the diaphragm 36'to work the lever 27 for the purposesascribed thereto. T his valve 53, in the position shown, positivelyshuts the tube 41 unless the handle 55 is up to unseat the valve disc 53against the air pressure and the spring holding said disc closed.

The valve 53 is not used in all instances and hence the two tubes 40 and41 may as well be directly connected and the press is then just as safein all respects because it is the holdopen valve '44 and its inactiontill the press jaws 51 and 52 are closed that really matters and make-sfor safety. This valve 53 and its handle 55 actually gives the operatorcontrol over the automatic means -46 and com-A pels the use of his handaway from the jaws before the press will lock down.

The lost motion or disconnection between the lug 46 and Valve head 45 isthe arrangement which delays locking the combined intake and exhaustvalvesA 10 and 11 open and closed, respectively, until it is safe to doso, but that arrange-ment does not in the least interfere with the downmotion of the 'head if the attendant keeps both of his hands on bothmanuals 14 and 15.

It is to be appreciated that the mere example of the means shown in thecoordinated valve 45 and trip or release lug 46 is to disclose anunderlying broad principle and several different equivalent species ofconstruction are possible without departing from the scope of thisinvention.

The aggroupment of the four control buttons or levers 14, 15V, 55 and 60is a noteworthy feature, there being two manuals 14 and 15 to initiatethe motor down stroke motion to close the press head, a third manual tolet air pass from tube 41 to 40 and hence to diaphragm 36 to holdexhaust valve 11 closed and intake valve 10 open so that the piston 2will remain down to hold the press head closed, and a fourth releasemanual to pen the press by exhausting the air pressure rom thecylinder 1. For clarity, the pressopen ing valve 57 and its manual 60are called the release means or valve to distinguish it from thenormally open exhaust valve '11.

The valve 53 and its manual 55 may be omitted as heretofore explained,this being tubes 40 and 41. However in some press constructions, thissecond-press-head hold-down .f so

valve 53 is desirable for super safety and accordingly I have providedfor such requirements. I

The two coordinated press-head hold-down valves 44 and 53 must both beopened to maintain the piston 2 down by air pressure and hence hold thepress head 51 under compression against the buck 52 by air pressure. The

hold-down valve 44 is ofcourse opened automatically by the motor driventrip device 46 and the other valve 57 is opened manually. If the manualhold-down valve 53 is not present in the general combination, there isnothing else to be done by the press attendant after the valve 44automatically opens. For extra safety the attendant must manually letair by valve 53 to the diaphragm chamber 37. Ifhe does not do so, thepress head will throw open in the same way that the head throws open ifthe operator tries to remove one hand from one manual 14 or 15 while thehead is traveling downwardly. The operator can easily reach thesuper-safety hold-down manual 55 with his foreiinger while he holds downon the adjacent manual 15 with his other tinger7 and thereby the severalmanual operations are coordinated.

Of further significance is the placement of the manual 55, whichactua-tes the valve 53, right under the finger socket 30 so that whenthe latter is depressed, but not before, can 'the operator reach themanual 55 with his forefinger and lift the manual 55 to admit a shot'ofair .to the diaphragm to lock the valve-means 10-11 to that position towhich the valve-'means 10--11 Were set manually when both finger sockets30 in manuals 14 and 15 were depressed. Hence the press head is safelylocked down manually by disposing the manual or lock-down lever 55beyond reach until the manual 15 is down. The combined and separateutility of the valves 44 and 53, one or the other or both, has nowy beenfully explained.

Whatl claim isr- Y 1. An actuating mechanism comprising a cylinder, apiston movable in the cylinder, a

main feed line for a motive fluid, a valve for controlling the flow ofmotive' fluid from the feed line to the cylinder, manual means foropening the valve, fluid operated means for holding the valve in openposition, a conduit connecting the fluid operated means with the feedline, a normally. closed valve. in the` conduit,V and operating meansfor the last mentioned valve arrangedij-.to be actuated when the pistonhas traveled a predetermined .distance in the cylinder.

2. An actuating mechanism comprising a cylinder, a piston movable in thecylinder, a main feedline for a motive fiuid, a valve for controllingthe flow of `motive iiuid from the feed line to the cylinder, manualmeans for opening the valve, fluid operated means for holding the valvein open position, a conduit connecting the fluid operated means with thefeed line, anormally closed valve in the conduit, operating means foropening the last mentioned valve arranged to be actuated when the pistonhas traveled a predetermined distance in the cylinder, a normally closedmanually operable valve in said conduit between the former valve thereinand the iiuid operated means, and means for releasing the fluid operatedholding means.

3. An actuating mechanism comprising a cylinder, a piston movable in thecylinder, a

main feed line for a motive iiuid, an intake v valve for controlling-theHow of motive fluid from the feed line to the cylinder, manual meansincluding a handle for opening said intake valve, iiuid operated meansfor holding the intake valve in open position, a conduit connecting theiiuid operated means with the feed line, a normally closed hold-downvalve in the conduit, operating means for opening the hold-down valvearranged to be actuated when the piston has traveled a predetermineddistance in the cylinder, a normally closed manually operable valve insaid conduit between the hold-down valve and the fluid operated means,and ,a handle for operating the last named valvesaid handles beinggrouped together for the operators con-- venience.

4.- An actuating mechanism comprising a. cylinder, a piston movable inthe cylinder, a combined intake and exhaust pipe connected to thecylinder, a feed pipe for a motive fluid,

a valve casing interconnected betweenthe combined intake and exhaustpipe and the feed pipe, a normally closed intake valve Yand a normallyopen exhaust valve combined vtogether and operatively mounted in thecasing, manual means for operating the combined intake and exhaustvalves to open the intake and close the exhaust including a handle,fluid operating means for holding the combinedintake and exhaust valvesin operated position, a conduit communicating With said fluid operatingmeans and with the feed pipe, a normally closed'hold-down valve in theconduit, and connections'arranged to'be operated by the piston when thepiston has traveled a predetermined distance on its power stroke t'oopen said normally closed hold-down valve. y

5. An actuating mechanism comprising a cylinder, a piston movable in thecylinder, 'a'

combined intake and exhaust" pipe leading to one end of the cylinder, afeed pipe for a motive fluidya valve casing connected with said feedpipe and with said combined intake and exhaust pipe, a'normally closedAintake yalve and a normally open exhaust valve combined together andoperatively mounted in the casing,-manual means for operating thecombined intake and exhaust valves to open the intake and close theexhaust including` a handle, fluid operated means for holding thecombined' intake and exhaust valves in operated position, a conduitcommally closed valveinsaid conduit, manual means for opening thesecondnormally closed valve including ali'andle grouped with the formerhandle, and a normally closed manually operated release valve forexhausting fluid pressure from the fluid operated means and from thecylinder.

6. An actuating mechanism comprising a cy1indera piston movable in thecylinder` a combined intake and exhaust pipe connected to one e-nd ofthe cylinder, a feed pipe for the motive fluid, a valve casing connectedwith said feed pipe, a normally closed intake valve and a normally openexhaust valve combined together and operatively mounted in the casing,the combined intake and exhaust pipe being connected-to 'the valvecasing to be controlled by both valves, manual means for operating thecombined intake and exhaust valves to open the intake and close theexhaust including a handle to feed motive fluid to the cylinder, fluidoperating means for holding the combined intake and exhaust valvesinoperated position, a conduit communicating with said fluid operatingmeans and with the feed pipe, a normally closed hold-down valve in theconduit, connections arranged to be operated by the piston when thepiston has traveled a predetermined distance on its power stroke to openthe holddown valve, asecond normally closed valve in said conduitincluding a handle grouped with the former handle and to open the secondnormally closed valve, an exhaust pipe leading from said fluid operatedmeans, and a manually operable normally closed release Valve in saidpipe to exhaust the motive fluid from said cylinder.

7. An actuating mechanism comprising a cylinder, a piston movable in thecylinder, a main feed lineifor a` motive fluid, an intake valve forcontrolling the flow of motive fluid to and from the cylinder, a handlefor operating said intake valve, fluid operated locking means for`holding the,intake valve in the position to which it is operated by thehandle,

a manually operated normally closed release valve for releasing the flowof motive fluid from the fluid operated means, and automatic valve meansoperated by themovement -of the piston for controlling the flow ofmotive fluid to the fluid operated holding means. 8. In an actuatingmechanism for garment the motiontransmitting means to'actuate thelocking means to hold the valve means in operated position to hold thepress jaws 9. In an actuating mechanism for pressing and ironingmachines having a jaw opening and closing movement, the combination of acylinder, a piston movable in the cylinder, a feed line for a motivefluid, valve means for controlling the flow of motive fluid to thecylinder, manual means for operating the valve means, means tending toreset the valve means to its initialposition, motion transmitting meansconnected to the piston to be actuated thereby, locking means forholding the valve means in operative p'osition, mechanically-actuatedmeans operated by the motion transmitting means to actuate the lockingmeans to hold the valve means in operated position to hold the pressjaws closed, and operator-operated means for unlocking the lockingmeans.

I0. In an actuating 'mechanism for pressing and ironing machines havinga jaw opening and closing movement, the combination of a cylinder, apiston movable in the cylinder, a feed line for a motive fluid connectedto the cylinder, valve means for controlling the flow of motive fluid toand from the cylinder, manual means for operating the valve means, meanstending to reset the valve means to initial position, motiontransmitting means connected to the piston to be actuated there' by andto effect the jaw opening and closing movement, locking means forholding the valve means in operated position, mechanically-actuatedmeans operated by the motion transmitting means to operate the lockingmeans to hold the valve means kin operated position, andoperator-operated means for unlocking the locking means, the mechanicalactuated means comprising a lost motion connection arranged to be takenup when the motion transmitting means has been actuated a predetermineddistance by the piston to effect the jaw closing movement.

11. In an actuating mechanism for pressing or ironing machines having anopening and closing movement, the combination of a motor having amovable member, a feed line for a motive power, control means forinitiating the flow of motive power to the motor, I

manual lmeans for operating the control means, a means tending to'returnthe control means to initial position, motion transmitting meansconnected to the movable member of the motor to be actuated thereby,means for locking the control means in operated position,mechanically-actuated means operacted by the motion transmitting meansto hold the control means in its operated position, andoperator-operated means for releasing the locking means.

l2. In an actuating mechani-sm for pressing or ironing machines having ajaw opening and closing movement, the combination of a motor meanshaving a movable member, a feed line for a motive power, means forcontrolling the flow of motive power to the' motor, manual means foroperating the conl trolling means, means tending to return thecontrolling means .to initialposition, motion transmitting means memberofthe. motor to be actuated thereby,

means for locking the controlling means in operated position, meansoperated by the mo-'. tion transmitting means to hold the control- 'lingmeans in its operated position,.and operator-opera'ted meansv forreleasing the locking means, the locking means vcomprising a lost motionconnectionarranged lto be taken up after the motion-transmitting meanshas been actuated a predetermined distance.

13. ln-an`actuating mechanism for machines having an opening and closingmovement, the combination ot' a motor means having a movable member, aJfeed'line for a motive'power,vmeans for controlling the flow of motivepower to the motor, manual means for operating the controlling means,means vtending to return the controlling mean-s to initial position,motion transmitting means connected to the movable member of the motorto be actuated thereby, means for locking the controlling means inoperated position, means operated by the motion transmitting means tohold the controlling means in operated position including normallyspaced apart shoulders forming a lost motionconnection, one shoulderbeing movable with the motion transmitting means and movable toward theother shoulder to take up the lost motion when the motion transmittingmeans has travelled f1-predetermined distance, and operator-operatedmeans for releasing the locking means. f

14. Ina garment or ironing press, coacting press jaws, operatingmechanism connected with one of the jaws to open and close theconnectedto the movable its closed position; jaw lock-down means cooperating withtlie operating mechanism to hold the movable jaw closed under pressurevated means to normal press-open position.

15. In a garment or ironing press, coacting pre-ss jaws, 'operatingmechanism connected with one of the jaws to open and close the pressincluding -a fluid motor, a fluid-pressure line including amanually-operable normally-closed inlet-valve meansy connected withthefluid motor to admit fluid pressure thereto for operating the fluidmotor in one direction to close the press, and also including amanually-operable normally-open .exhaust valve means which must beclosed to direct said fluid pressure into the'motor and being spacedfrom the inlet-valve means, two spaced safety manuals to work the twovalve means, means to hold the press closed under pressure includingmechanicallyactuated means actuated by the operating mechanism toprevent reverse motion of the Huid motor only after the press is closedto hold the aws under pressure and thus relieve the operator so he mayturn loose ofboth valve means, and anair-releasemeans having a manuallyoperable handle therefor to release the means which holds`the pressclosed whereby the operating mechanism mayv reverse its motion torelieve the jaw pressure and open the. press.

16. In a garment or ironing press having coacting press jaws, afluid-pressure motor and operating connections therefrom to a jawto openand close the press, a fluidpressure line to supply motive fluid tothemotor, intake-valve means held normally closed in the fluid lineincluding a two-hand control manual means to open said intake valvemeans to close the press jaw, press-jaw lock-down means includingmechanicallyactuated means operated by movement of the motor and itsoperating connectionsafter a predetermined distance has been traveled bythe press jaw to lock the intake-valve means open so as to lock the jawclosed under pressure by reason of maintaining fluid pressure in themotor so as to relieve the operator of holding the manual means afterthe' press is closed, said mechanically-actuated means having a delayoperating engagement effective only after the press is closed to'lockthe intake-valve means open, and airrelease means to exhaust the motivefluid from the motor to open the press.

17. In a garment or ironing machine having press jaws, a movable memberconnected with a jaw to open and close the press, a`fluid motor having acylinder and piston and operating connections therefrom to the movablemember, a 'fluid-pressure line connccted to the motor to supply motivefluid thereto, an intake valve normally closing off the fluid line tothe motor,`a n exhaust valve normally opening to atmosphere the fluidline to the motor, meansl including spaced manuals to open the intakevalve A and close the exhaust valve to start the mo` tor, a pressjawhold-down valve in the fluid line, means operated by fluid pressureallowed to pass said press-j aw hold-down valve'A lautomaticallyy takethe manual control away from the operator after the press is closed, andmeans to open the press including handle means to exhaust that motivefluid from the cylinder supplied thereto after the `manuals werereleased by an operator.

- 18. In a garment or ironing press having jaws, operating meanstherefor including a fluid-pressure motor, a fluid-pressure supply andvalve-control means therefor connected to the motor including a manualvalve yieldable means urging the manual valve to closed position, ahandle by which an operator opens vthe manual valve against theyieldable means to admit motive fluid to motor to close the press,locking means to hold the manual valve in locked open position after themotor completes its stroke to maintain fluid pressure in the motor tohold the press closed, a normally-closed automatic valve to control thelocking means to lockthe manual valve open as aforesaid, means operatedby themotor at the end of its stroke to automatically lock the lockingmeans and thus relieve the operator of hold the handle after the presscloses, and release means to unlock the locking means so as to allow thereturn of the valve-control means to normal open-press .position and thedischarge of ther the press, a pressure-actuated locking means to lockopen said intake valve against the yieldable means and connected to thefluid pressure line, a. normally-closed automatic valve in thefluid-pressure line, means actuated by the operating means only afterthe press is partly closed to engage and hold open the normally-closed'automatic valve to actuate said locking means to overcome saidyieldable means and hence relieve the operator from holding the handle,and a normally-closed manually-operable valve in the fluid-pressure linebetween the automatic valve and the intake valve and which is opened bythe operator after the press is closed to render effective said lockingmeans.

20. In a garment or ironing presshaving jaws, operating means attachedto a jaw including a fluid motor to close the press, a Huid lineconnected to the motor, a coordinated automatic and manual control meansfor the motor including three valves in the fluid line, one valve beingan intake valve to admit a motive fluid to the cylinder to actuate it inone direction to close the press and a handle for opening this intakevalve against a yieldable means which is provided to normally holdclosedsaid intake valve, a normally closed second valve being anautomatic valve and adapted to supply fluid pressure to a valve-lockingdevice to lock open the intake valve, means actuated by the motor at theend of its stroke to open the automatic valve vonly after thepress isclosed, a third valve operatively related with the automatic valve andwith the valve-locking device and normally rendering the latterineffective by closing of the pressure released by the automatic valve,a handle attached to the third valve for opening the latter by theoperator to now render effective the automatic valve and thevalve-locking device whereby the intake valve is now locked open andconsequently fluid pressure is maintained in the motor to hold the pressjaw closed, and release means to discharge the fluid pressure from themotor to open the press and to return the several valves andvalve-locking device to normal press-open position.

21. In a garment or ironing press having jaws, operating means attachedto a jaw including afluid motor to close the press, a fluid lineconnected to the motor, a combined automatic and manual control meansfor the motor including four valves in the fluid line, one valve beingan intake valve to admit motive fluid to the cylinder to actuate it inone direction to close the press and a handle for opening this valveagainst a yieldable means which is provided to normally hold closed saidintake valve, a normally closed second valve being an automatic valveand adapted to supply fluid pressure to a valve-locking device to lockopen the intake Valve, means actuated by the motor to open the automaticvalve operatively related with the automatic vIl() valve and with thevalve-'lockingdevice and normally rendering the latter ineffective byshutting ofil the pressure released by the automatic valve, a handleattached to the third valve for opening the latter by the operator tonow render effective the automatic valve and the valve-holding devicewhereby the intake valve is now locked open and consequently fluidpressure is maintained in the motor to hold the press jaw closed, afourth valve adapted as a 'release and press-opening means and beingconnected with the valvelocking device aforesaid, and-a handle attachedto this fourth lvalve to open the latter to discharge pressure from thevalve-locking device whereby the intake Valve is now closed Aand luidpressure is discharged from the cylinder so as to allow the press toopen.

22. In a garment or ironing' press,jaws and fluid-pressure motor meansto operate one of the jaws, a pressure-feed line to supply motivefluid'to the motor, motor-control means in the feed line including fourvalves and four handles, one ofthe valves beinga normally-closed intakevalve, two of the handles comprising a two-handle safety control andmeans operatively connecting these two handles to the intake valve toopen said intake valve to close the press by compelling an operator touse both hands, a second valve normally closed and automatic meansoperated by the motor after the press is closed to automatically openthis second valve, fluid-operated valve-locking means connected with thesecond valve and actuated byl motive fluid passing this second valve tohold the intake valve open after the press is closed so the operator mayremove both hands and the press will remain closed on the work betweenthe j aws, a third normally-closed valve having a third handle and beinginterposed between the normally-closed second named valve and the fluidoperated valve-locking means and by whichthe motive iluid which passesby the second named valve cannotl reach the fluid-operated valve-lockingmeans until said third normally-closed valve is opened by the thirdnamed handle grasped by the operator so that manual control isestablished over theisecond valve, and pressopening means including a-fourthnormallyclosed release valve having ahandle to open it and beingconnected` to the fluid-operated valve-locking means to discharge themotive fluid therefrom and to exhaust'the motor.

23. Ina garment or ironing press, jaws and opera-ting means therefor toopen and close the. press including a motor having a piston and cylinderleperatively connected-to a jaw, a fluid line connected with thecylinder, an intake valve in the fluid line, yieldable means actingagainst the intake valve to hold it normally closed, manual meansconnected with the intake valve by which an operator opens and holdssaid intake valve against the yieldable means aforesaid whereby motivefluid is admitted to the cylinder to drive the piston to one end thereofto close the press; means under the control of the operator, andeffective only after the press closes,

for causing the operating means including the motor to take over theholding open of f the intake valve at the end of the piston stroke tomaintain the motive-fluid pressure in the. cylinder aforesaid and tohold'the press jaws closed so that'the operator may release his handsfrom the manual means and yet the press will remain in closed position;

`which an operator opens it against the yieldj able means aforesaidwhereby motive fluid is admitted to the cylinder to drive thepiston toone end thereof to close the press, fluidoperated means operativelyconnected with the intake valve to hold it open to maintain fluidpressure in the cylinder after the press is closed, a tube to supplyfluid pressure to said fluid-operated means, a normally-closed valve insaid tube which renders inoperative the fluid-operated means, manualmeans such 'as a'second handle for the last named normally-closed valveto open the same to admit motive fluid tothe fluid-operated means tohold the intake valve open independently of the operator and henceenable him to remove ice his hand from the first named handle-without lthe press opening up, and release means for exhausting the motivev fluidfrom the cylinder and from the fluid-operated means thereby enabling allcorrelated parts to return to normal .press-open position.

2,5. In a -garment or ironing press, coacting jaws and fluid-pressuremotor means to operyate the press, a control for starting the motormeans including an intake valve connected to the motor toadmit motiveiluid thereto, yieldable means to hold the intake Valve closed, a manualto open the valve against said yieldable means, a fluid-operated meansto hold the intake valve open against the yieldable means when themaiiiual is released, a single housing containing the intake valve andthe fluid-operated means, apivoted lever operatively interposed betweenand engaging the intake valve and the fluid-operated means and throughwhich lever the lintake valve is held open by'said fluid-operated means,operating connections from the man ual tothe pivoted lever,and releasemeans ylill] to open the press including a release valve connected withthe fiuid-operated means to exhaust the motive fluid from thefluid-operated means whereby the aforesaid yieldable means returns theintake valve to normally closed position and the motive fiuid isexhausted from the motor means.

26. A garment or ironing press comprising coacting press jaws, operatingmechanism including a lever and fluid motor having a cylinder and pistonconnected with one of the jaws to open and close the press, afluid-pressure line including a manuallyoperable normally-closedinlet-valve means connected to the fluid motor cylinder to admit fiuidpressure thereto for driving said piston in one direction to close thepress, and also including a manually-operable normally-openexhaust-valve means which Vmust be closed tosdirect said fluid pressureinto the cylinder and being spaced from the inletvalve means, plungermeans operatively connecting the two spaced-valve means, twospaced-safety manuals requiring the simultaneous use of both hands of anoperator, operating connections providedbetween the two spaced-safetymanuals and the plunger means whereby both valve means may besimultaneously moved to reverse their positions to open the inlet-valvemeans and close the exhaust-valve `means by depressing the manuals tofeed fluid pressure to the cylinder, P

spring means cooperating with and tending to return the operatingconnections to normal open-press position and also tending to holdthe'inlet-valve means in norinally-closed position and the exhaust-valvemeans in normally-open position whereby the press remains normally open,pivoted-rocker means operatively engaging the plunger mea s, and meansfor urging the pivoted-rocker means in engagement with the plunger meansincluding an operating part carried by the lever and an actuated elementhaving delayed engagement with said operating part whereby the twospaced-valvcineans are held to their manually-operated closed-pressposition to maintain the fluid pressure against the piston to hold thepress closed by fluid pressure after the operator removes his hands fromthe manuals, said means operating thru the delayed engagement aforesaidto render said means completely inoperative until after the pistontravels a predetermined distance to close the press, and means toexhaust the fiuid pressure from the motor to open the press.

27. A garment or ironing press comprising coacting press aws, operatingmechanism including avlever and a fiuid motor connected to said leverand to one of the jaws to open and close the press, a fluid-pressureline including a valve having a normally-closed intake port and anormally-open exhaust port connected to the fluid motor to admit fluidpressure thereto for driving the -motor in one direction to close thepress and to yexhaust the fluid pressure from the motor when said valveis in another position to allow the press to open, two spaced-safetymanuals requirin'g the use of both hands of an operator, operatingconnections provided between the two spaced-safety manuals and the valvewhereby the valve is manually set to reverse position to open the intakeport and close `the exhaust port by movement of b'oth manuals to feedfiu'id pressure to the motor, spring means cooperating with and tendingto return the operating connections to normal open-press position andalso tending to hold the intake port normally closed and the exhaust port normally open, a rocker operatively engaging the valve, means forurging the rocker against the valve including an operating partswingable with the lever and an actuated element having a delayed motioninrespect to said operating part whereby saidrocker engages the valve tohold it in the manually reversed position aforesaidlto maintain thevfluid pressure in the motor after the operator removes his 1hands fromthe manuals, and said means operating thru the delayed motion to renderthe rocker completely inoperative until after the fluid motor travels apredetermined distance to close the press, whereupon the motor is theneffec- SIL tive to hold the press closed under fluid-l ressure and isalso effective thru said means to hold the exhaust closed and the intakeopen during the pressing operation, and means to exhaust the fluidpressure from the motor to open the press.

28. In a garment or ironing press having a coacting press head and buck,a fluid-pressure motor having a piston and non-straightening non-lockingoperating connections therefrom to the press head to open and close thepress, a fluid-pressure line to supply a motive fluid pressure to themotor, intakevalve means held normally closed in the fluid line and twospaced-safety manuals to open said intake-valve means to admit fiuidpressure to the motor to close the press head, means to arrest or stopthe downward travel of the press head and restore the two safety manualsto open-press position in event an operator releases one or both safetymanuals before the press. closes; and press-head. l'iolddown ineans,including mechanically-actuated valve means opened by movement of themotor at the end of the piston stroke, to hold the press head down byfluid-pressure exerting a yielding force thru the non-straighteningnon-locking operating connections by reason of maintaining the motivefiuid at line pressure against the piston, and to relieve the operatorof holding the two spaced-safety manuals after the press is closed; saidmechanicallyactuated valve means having a delayed vaction and thereforebeing effective only after the press is closed to hold lthemechanically-actuated valve means open, and means to release the.pressure from the motor to open the press. v

29. A garment or ironing press comprising a coacting press head andbuck, a fluid-pressure motor having a piston, operating connections fromthe piston to the press head to close it onto the buck, lafluid-pressure supply conduit and a normally-closed inlet valveconnected with the motor, two 'spaced-apart safety manuals having aconnection means with the normallyclosed inlet valve and requiring theuse of both hands to open said inlet valve to admit iiuid pressure tothe motor to drive thepiston in one direction to close the press, meansto interrupt the flow of fluid pressure to the motor/and return thesafety In testimony whereof, I have hereunto Y manuals to normalopen-press position and thereby arrest the closingmovement of the presshead in event an operator releases one or both of the safety manualsbefore the press head reaches the buck, means operating only 'after thepress head has reached thebuck to maintain the Huid-pressure motor openin direct communication with the fluid-pressure supply conduit so thatthe operator may then release the safety manuals, said last named meansincluding a delayed-action valve .l

opened only at 'the end of the piston stroke,I

and means to release the fluid pressure from the motor at the end of thepressing operation to open the press.

30. A garment or ironing press comprising a coacting press head andbuck, a fluid Vmotor having a pistonA connected with the press head toclose thepress and hold it closed underresilient iuid pressurecontinuously applied to the piston during the pressingy operation,

press-opening means urging the press head toward open position after thefluid pressure 1s released from the cylinder, a normallyclosed inletvalve connected with-the motor, a

pressure feed line connected to the inlet valve,

two spaced manual control means having a Y connection means with theinlet valve to open leased by the operator and to stop the flow. ofpressure to themotor in event said release it and admit pressure tothe'motor to drive the piston .on its out stroke, means acting on lthespaced manual control means to restore them to normal open-pressposition when reof the manual control means occurs during the travel ofthe head toward the buck; and

means, including va l mechanically-actuated valve, operated only afterthe press head has reached the buck, to continuethe application ofpressure to' the 'motor in orderthat the operator may then release themanual cntrol means; and fluid Vpressure rlease means to exhaust themotor at the endv of the iron- 1 ing Aor pressing operation-ein orde'rthat the press-opening means restore the press tonormallyyopen position.

